Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-10-07
A MONTANA HANGING.
A THRILLING CHAPTER IN THE
EARLY HISTORY OF HELENA.
TSt. Paul Globe. ]

found this popular way far more
speedy and efficient than the or
dinary law courts. Time gave
them much experience in handling
criminals, and their calm, unim-
passioned, methodical way is well
illustrated in their treatment of the
Williams who had attacked George
Lenhart.
Lenhart was kind hearted old
man, who was well known and wide
ly respected. He was found one
morning lying senseless by the
roadside and covered With blood.
On regainlng consciousness he SAID
that while riding homeward the
previous night he had been over
taken by two horsemen. One of
them shot him IN the thigh, and
when he had fallen from his horse
they had beaten him to insensibili-
ty. He described the men and they
we're soon arrested and lodged in
Jail.
The following evening the citi-
zens met to talk the matter over
A general discussion was held, and
then they quietly adjourned to meet
the following day. An hour before
the appointed time thousand men
had gathered at the place of meet
ing. A chairman was appointed,
and he stated the general purpose
for which they had come together.
There was not the slightest excite.
ment visible anywhere ; everything
was quiet and orderly as camp
meeting.
A well-knOwn merchant Of the
town removed his hat and moved a
Jury of twenty citizens be appoint
ed to obtain evidence, to listen TO
arguments for the prosecution and
the defense, and to declare to the
assembly the guilt or innocence of
the persons accused. The motion
was seconded and then carried
The jury was selected, and retired
at once to room to begin its in
vestigatioDs. Up to this time the
prisoners had remained in the jail
unmolested. But the committee
had use for them now, and sent its
Marshal to bring them. The Mar
shal, with a number of men, waited
upon the Sheriff, but that officer
declined to surrender his prisoners.
The Marshal thereupon increased
his force, seized the Sheriff aud his
deputies and searched for the keys.
When these were found the officers
of the law were locked in room
together and a guard placed over
them that they might not make
themselves troublesome. One of
| the prisoners was then taken from
the prison, and between double
line OF citizens was led to the COM
mlttee.room. He made full cOnles.
sion and his accOmplice did the
same. The committee, therefore.
went out before the assembly and
reported that the guilt Of the pris-
oners was fully established.
At this juncture the District
Judge appeared and asked to be
heard. Permission was granted. -
BE entered strong protest against
this interference with the civil au-
thorities.
The Judge was listened to pa
tiently and respectfully. He was
good enough man, but they bad
heard similar arguments fifty times
before, They had grown tired Of
sitting quietly by waiting the laws
delay, while men were shot down
and robbed day after day.
Finally the vote was pat by the
Chairman "What shall be done
with the prisoners ~
"Hang them y was the response.
Again and more carefully the ques-
tion was put "Is it your de-
cree that the prisoners, Joseph Will
son and A. L. Compton, shall be
taken to Pine Tree, in Dry Gulch,
and there be hanged b'J the neck
until they are dead 2"
at is; that's the yerdictw came
from almost every person present.
1t was then 2:30. A motion pre-
vailed that the prisoners be given
till 2 o'clock to prepare for death.
Throughout the entire proceedings
the utmost decorum and even So
lemnity prevailed among the crowd,
which had gradually swelled to
5000 souls. At no time during the
day had there been any loud talk
ing or boisterous demonstration.
At the appointed hour the gulch
presented the appearance of vast
amphitheater. 1t was lined with q
dense mass of human beings, who
covered the adjacent hills also. The
town was deserted. At 4:30 the
men were taken from the room
where they had been confined
They were placed in a wagon, and
each appeared intent on the words
of the priest that was by his side.
The wagon halted under the
branches of the fatal tree. The
rope was thrown over the limb,
prayers were said, the horses were
started, and all was quickly over.
A big gas we'll has Just been fired
In Kanawha county, w. Va, the